Explosively actuated tool



Dec. 7, 1948. v R. TE PL 2,455,826

' EXPLOSIVELY ACTUATED TOOL Filed 6st. 5, 1946 I I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' ROBERT TEMPLE'.

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j Dec. 7, 1948.

R. TEMPLE:

EXiLOSIVELY ACTUATED TOOL Filed Oct. 5, $946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ROBER 7" TEMPLE" arine/vars.

Patented Dec. 7, 1948 2,455,828 EXPLOSIVELY ACTUATED TOOL Robert Temple, Swissvale, Pa", assignor to Temple Velocity Equipment, 1110., Wilmington, Deb, a

corporation of Delaware Application October 5, 1946, Serial No. 701,577

a l This invention relates to explosively actuated tools, and more particularly to powerful small tools and the ejection of cartridge shells therefrom.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide such a tool which is small but very powerful, which can quickly be disconnected from the work, and from which a cartridge shell is automatically ejected when the tool is prepared for reloading.

In accordance with this invention the body of the tool is provided with a bore extending inwardly from one end. A piston is slidably mounted in the bore for driving a movable die against articles on which the tool operates. Opposite sides of the piston are engaged by the arms of a U-sha-pe stationary die which are detachably connected to the tool body by inserting them in the bore and giving them a quarter turn. Communieating with the inner end of the bore is a passage that extends radially of the bore to the periphery of the body. Removably mounted in this passage is an explosive cartridge which has the usual rim at its outer end. Rotatably mounted on the body is an encircling ring which is provided with a radial opening through which a firing pin extends radial opening through the ring into line with the shell. At the same time a cam surface, with which the ring is provided, moves into contact with one end of an ejector that extends slidably across the tool body with its opposite end engaging the inner surface of the rim of the cartridge shell. The pressure of the cam against the ejector moves it and causes it to push the cartridge shell out of the passage so that it can drop or be pulled through the adjoining ring opening. A new cartridge then is inserted in the passage, and the ring is turned back to bring the breech block 3 Claims. (Cl. 140-4113) view, but showing the ring rotated into cartridge ejecting position.

Referring to the drawings, a cylindrical metal tool body I is provided with a cylindrical bore 2 extending inwardly from one end. The outer end portion of the bore has a larger diameter than the inner portion and is provided with interrupted screw threads 3 to receive a U-shape member d which forms a stationary die. In assembling the die and body, the parallel arms of the die are inserted in bore 2 between the two sets of screw threads, and then the die is turned 90 to engage its threads with those of the body. Mounted in the inner end of the bore is a cylindrical bushing t which is encircled at its outer end by a flange t that is clamped between the inner end of the stationary die and the shoulder i connecting the two. parts of the bore. Slidably mounted in this bushing is a piston 8 which is integrally connected to a movable die 9 that cooperates with the stationary die. The movable die is rectangular in cross section so that it has flat surfaces that slide along the flat inner surfaces of the arms of the stationary die. The movable die also serves as a into line with the cartridge against which the is a longitudinal section taken on the line II-II of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a rear end view of the tool with the end plate broken away; and Fig. 4 is a similar brace or block that prevents the arms of the other die from bending toward each other'and becoming disengaged from threads (9. The workengaging portions of these dies are shaped in accordance with the purpose for which they are to be used. Those shown are intended for compressing sleeves ill on the adjoining ends of cables or bus bars H to connect them together.

At the inner end of bore 2 the tool body is provided with a small chamber i5 located at one side of the axis of the bore into which itopens.

Extending from the side of this chamber radially.

through the body to the far side thereof is a cylindrical passage l6 of a size adapted to receive a cartridge il containing a charge of explosive The outer end of this passage flares outwardly and receives the usual rim it on the outer end of the cartridge.

Encircling the end portion of the body that contains chamber 15 and passage i6 is a metal ring 2i that is rotatable around the body. The ring is held in position lengthwise of the body by an annular shoulder 22 on the body and by a. circular plate .23 connected to the end of the body by screws 26.

The ring has a thickened portion it normally located at the outer end of the cartridge, and is provided with a threaded radial opening in axial alignment with passage i6. Screwed into this opening is a breech block 21, the inner end of which is tapered to seat in the flared outer end of the passage against the cartridge to hold it in place when it is fired. The outer end of the breech block projects from the ring and carries a knurled and recessed head It by which the block can be turned in the ring. The block is provided with an axial passage in which a firing pin 23 is,

inwardly against .the cartridge to detonate it. The explosion builds up pressure in the chamber occurs. the shell automatically is ejected. partially or completely, from passage It. This is accomplished by providing the end wall of the body with a slot 33 that extends diametrically across it. the slot extends laterally into the flared outer end of the cartridge passage. Slidably mounted in this slot is a bar 84 which forms a cartridge ejector. One end of the bar is provided with a lateral projection or finger 85 which, before the cartridge is discharged, projects between the cartridge rim and body I and engages the inner surface of the rim. At the same time the opposite end of the bar projects radially from the slot into an opening 36 through the ring.

When the ring is rotated around the .body to bring opening 32 into line with the empty shell, a cam surface 31, which forms one end wall of opening 38, as shown in Fig. 3, moves into engagement with the projecting end of the ejector bar and pushes it downwardly as disclosed in Fig. 4. The inner surface of the ring opposite the cam surface is provided with a cut-away area 38 to permit the adjacent end of the bar to move down the necessary distance without escaping from the body. At the same time finger 35 on the bar pushes down on the cartridge rim and thereby starts the shell moving out of the passage. If the shell then is sumciently loose in the As shown in Fig. 2, the lower end of -to'disengage the threads. Although the tool is small, being shown full size in the original'drawings, it produces a pressure between the dies of forty tons or more.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle and construction -of. my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiment. However, I desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim:

l. A tool comprising a body provided with a bore extending inwardly from one end, a piston slidably mounted in said bore, said body also being provided with a passage communicating with the inner end of the bore and extending radially thereof to the periphery of the body, said passage being adapted to receive an explosive cartridge having arm at its outer end, an ejector extending slidably across the body and having one end adapted to engage the inner surface of the cartridge rim, the opposite end of the ejector being located adjacent the opposite side of the body, a ring encircling the body and rotatably mounted thereon, and a firing pin extended radially through the ring and normally located in line with said passage, said ring being provided with a radial opening and with a cam surface opposite said opening for pushing said opposite end of the ejector transversely of said body, when the ring is rotated, whereby to eject a cartridge shell from said passage so that it can pass out through said ring opening.

2. .A tool comprising a body provided with a bore extending inwardly from one end, a piston slidably mounted in said bore, said body alsotbe ing provided with a passage communicating with the inner end of the bore and extending radiall'y/fl thereof to the periphery of the body, said passage passage, it will drop out through ring opening 3! or be blown out by compressed gas remaining in chamber I5. If the shell is not loose enough to fall out of its own accord, the rim I8 can be grasped by the fingers to pull it out. The ring then is turned back just far enough to remove cam 31 from above the ejector, and a new cartridge is inserted in passage l8. The rim of-the cartridge engages ejector finger 35 and pushes the bar back up to its original position. Then the ring is turned the rest of the way back to its original position, and breech block Z1 is screwed into the flared outer end of the passage to ,hold the new cartridge firmly in place in line with the firing pin.

This tool is designed especially for work in close quarters such as when cables are to be connected to other cables projecting from a board in closely spaced relation. The tool is short because the firing mechanism projects from one side and the stationary die does not take up much room. The stationary die can be quickly disconnected from the tool body after a pair of cables have been joined by merely giving the body a quarter turn being adapted to receive an explosive cartridge having a rim at its outer end, an ejector extending slidably across the body and having one end adapted to engage the inner surface of the cartridge rim, the opposite end of the ejector being located adjacent the opposite side of the-body, a ring encircling the body and rotatably mounted thereon, and a firing pin supported by the ring normally in line with said passage but rotatable with the ring, said ring being provided with a radial opening and with a cam surface opposite said opening for pushing said opposite end of the ejector transversely of said body when the ring is rotated, whereby to eject a cartridge shell from said passage so that it can pass out through said ring opening.

3. A tool comprising a body provided with a bore extending inwardly from one end, a piston slidably mounted in said bore, said body also being provided with a passage communicating with the inner end of the bore and extending radially thereof to the periphery of the body, said passage being adapted to receive an explosive cartridge havinga rim at its outer end, an ejector extending slidably across the body and having one and adapted to engage the inner surface of the cartridge rim, the opposite end of the ejector being located adjacent the opposite side of the body, a ring encircling the body and rotatably mounted thereon, said ring being provided with a threaded radial opening normally in axial alignment with said passage, a firing pin in the center of said opening, and a breech block threaded in said opening and slidably supporting the pin, said assasse block being adapted to be screwed inwardly of the ring against the outer end of the cartridge.

and said ring being provided with a second radial opening and with a cam surface opposite thereto for pushing said opposite end of the ejector transversely of said body when the ring is rotated after said block has been screwed outwardly in the ring,

whereby said ejector will eject a cartridge shell from said passage so that it can pass out through said second ring opening.

4. A tool comprising a body provided with a bore extending inwardly from one end, a piston slidably mounted in said bore, said body also i being provided with a chamber opening into the inner end of said bore and with a passage ex-- tending radially from the side of said chamber to the periphery of said body, said passage being' adapted to receive an explosive cartridge having a rim at its outer end, an ejector extending slidably across the body and having a lateral projection at one end adapted to extend between said body and cartridge. rim, theopposite end of the ejector normally projecting from the body, a ring encircling the body and rotatably mounted thereon, and a firing pin extending radially through the ring and normally located in line with said passage, said ring being providedwith a radial opening and with a 'cam surface opposite "slidably mounted in said bore, said body also being provided with a passage communicating with the inner end of the bore and extending radially thereof to the periphery oi the body, said passage being adapted to receive an explosive cartridge having a rim at its outer end, an ejector extending slidably across the body and having one end adapted to engage the inner surface of 4 the cartridge rim, the opposite end of the ejector being located adjacent the opposite side of the body. a ring encircling the body and rotatably mounted thereon, said ring being provided with a threaded radial opening normally in axial alignment with said passage, a breech block threaded in said opening and adapted to be screwed inwardly thereof to engage the outer end of a cartridge in said passage, said block, extending outwardly from said ring to provide means for manually turning it in the ring, said block being provided with an axial passage with its outer end projecting therefrom and adapted to be struck by a hammer to fire said cartridge, and said ring being provided wih a second radial opening and with a cam surface opposite thereto for pushing said opposite end of the ejector transversely of said body when the ring is rotated after said block has been screwed outwardly in the ring, whereby said ejector will push a cartridge shell from said passage so that it can pass out through said second ring opening.

6. A tool comprising a body provided witlna bore extending inwardly from one end, a piston slidably mounted in saidbore, said body also being provided with a passage communicating with the inner end of the bore andextending radially thereof to the periphery of the body, said passage being adapted to receive an explosive cartridge having a rim at its outer end, the opposite end of said body being provided with a slot extending diametrically across it, an ejector slidably mounted in said slot and having a lateral projection at one and adapted to extend between said vbody and cartridge rim, the opposite end of the ejector normally projecting from the body, means secured to said opposite end of the body for holding the ejectorin the slot, a ring encircling the body and rotatably mounted thereon, and a firing p'in extending radially through the ring and normally located in line with said passage, said ring being provided with a radial opening and with a cam surface opposite said opening for pushing said projecting end of the ejector inwardly toward said body when. the ring is rotated, whereby to eject a cartridge shell from said passage so that it can pass out through said ring p ning.

7. A tool comprising a body provided with a bore extending inwardly from one end, a U shape die having a pair of arms extending into said bore, means detachably connecting said arms to said body, a piston siidably mounted in said bore, a movable die joined to the front end of the piston and disposed between said arms in;

sliding engagement with their inner surfaces, said body at the opposite end of the bore being formed to receive an explosive cartridge, and a firing pin for detonating the cartridge.

8. A tool comprising a body provided with a bore extending inwardly from one end, the wall of the outer end portion of the bore being provided with interrupted screw threads, a U-shape die having a pair of parallel arms extending into said bore with their outer surfaces provided with screw threads registering with said first mentioned 9 threads to detachably connect the die to the body,

the inner surfaces of said arms being fiat and I parallel, a piston slidably. mounted inthe inner end portion of said bore, a movable die joined to the front end of said piston and disposed between said arms, said movable 'die having fiat surfaces slidabiy engaging said fiat surfaces of said arms,

said body also being provided with a pasage communicating with the inner end of the bore and extending radially thereof to the periphery of the body, said passage being adapted to receive an explosive cartridge, and a firing pin extending radially of the bore in line with said passage for detonating the cartridge,

ROBERT TEMPLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in file of this patent:

UNITED s'ra'rss PATENTS the Tie Jr. May 28, 1940 

